Vaughan Davies ISAA has joined international design and architecture firm Perkins Eastman as the firm’s newest Principal, based in its Los Angeles office. He brings more than 30 years of experience as an architect and urban designer, having developed dozens of successful plans for downtowns; urban waterfronts; retail, resort and entertainment districts; transit-oriented developments; and large scale mixed-use projects, all with an emphasis on walkability and sustainability. Prior to his joining the firm, Davies served as Principal/Director of Urban Design with AECOM, and before that as Principal-in-Charge of EE&K Architects’ Los Angeles office. In joining the firm, Davies is also reuniting with a number of colleagues from EE&K, which merged with Perkins Eastman in 2011.

“We’re so pleased that Vaughan is returning to our ranks,” says Stanton Eckstut FAIA, Principal with Perkins Eastman. “He is a true visionary who gets the job done. But more importantly, Vaughan’s repertoire represents more than just great design; his designs add quantifiable value to the neighborhoods and waterfronts and cities in which he works, and of course to his clients’ interests as well. As architects we set out to create memorable addresses and deliver design solutions that improve people’s lives. In that regard, I consider Vaughan to be at the height of our profession.”

Having been based in Los Angeles for the last 20 years, many of Davies’ most notable projects have been instrumental in transforming the way the City approaches urban, waterfront, and in particular, what he calls “pedestrian-first” development; such precedent-setting efforts include Paseo Colorado in Pasadena, Gateway Intermodal Center at Union Station, Hollywood & Highland, and the Echo Park Lake Revitalization. Additionally, Davies developed the award-winning master plan for San Pedro for the Port of Los Angeles, he led the development for the Queensway Bay master plan and design for Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, and most recently he was engaged to help develop Los Angeles’ bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Vaughan Davies’ accomplishments also extend beyond his adopted city of Los Angeles, with international work that includes leading the Dublin Bay Vision Plan; the strategic planning for Tongzhou, a new sustainable waterfront city and future seat of the City of Beijing’s government; and the planning of new resort towns on Brazil’s Emerald Coast.

According to Perkins Eastman CEO and Chairman Bradford Perkins, “Vaughan Davies’ reputation precedes him. The places and public realms that Vaughan creates are always done so with the human experience in mind; he designs from a place of caring in that context and history is always taken into consideration. He wants his clients and stakeholders to take pride in the places they now call their own. We are incredibly happy to welcome Vaughan to our team and help us continue to grow our West Coast presence, especially with regard to our Large Scale work, waterfronts, transit-oriented projects and the like. Perkins Eastman is undoubtedly a stronger firm now with him aboard.”